Education Guidelines International Guidelines for the Education of Learners with Down Syndrome. The challenge All around the world children with Down syndrome are being failed by education systems. They are not given the support that they need to succeed in mainstream schools. Many are pushed into special education systems, excluded or segregated from learning alongside their peers. Many more children with Down syndrome are denied education altogether. There is a pressing need to address these issues to make sure people with Down syndrome in countries around the world receive the education they require to achieve their full potential. There has previously been no international best-practice guidance in this area. What did we do? We worked with experts to create International Guidelines for the Education of Learners with Down Syndrome. The guidelines have been written by educational professionals and experts in the field with input from our global network of members and stakeholders to ensure their global relevance and value. They provide best-practice guidance for learners, teachers and managers in pre-school, school and post-school education settings to promote life-long learning. Read the list of recommendations: Recommendations for education Or read the full guidelines: ENGLISH (PDF) Other languages Nous sommes très heureux d'annoncer qu'il existe désormais une version officielle des lignes directrices pour l'éducation de DSi en français. Nous remercions Myriam Besson, de notre organisation membre Inclusion Down en Belgique, pour la traduction de la version originale en anglais, ainsi que tous les relecteurs impliqués. FRANÇAIS/FRENCH (PDF) DSi sa zadovoljstvom najavljuje objavljivanje Međunarodnih smjernica za odgoj i obrazovanje učenika s Down sindromom. Zahvaljujemo Sevdiji Kujović i prof.dr. Lejli Kafedžić iz organizacije, koja je naša članica, "Život sa Down sindromom Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine" u Bosni i Hercegovini na prijevodu izvorne verzije napisane na engleskom jeziku, kao i svim uključenim prevodiocima i lektorima. BOSANSKI/BOSNIAN (PDF) Kemi kënaqësinë t’ju njoftojmë se tashmë ekziston një version zyrtar i Udhëzuesit të Edukimit të DSi në gjuhën shqipe. Falënderojmë organizatat tona anëtare, Fondacionin Down Syndrome Albania në Shqipëri, Qendrën Jonathan në Shqipëri dhe Down Syndrome Kosova në Kosovë, për përkthimin e versionit origjinal nga anglishtja dhe të gjithë redaktuesit e përfshirë për të mundësuar këtë produkt në gjuhën shqipe. SHQIPE/ALBANIAN (PDF) What does this mean for people with Down syndrome? The guidelines have been developed to improve the availability and quality of education for people with Down syndrome around the world. The guidelines will contribute to the realisation of their right to an inclusive education and lifelong learning as outlined in Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The guidelines are an important starting point in enabling people with Down syndrome to receive the educational support needed to achieve their full potential. They will provide a global reference point and a lobbying tool for education professionals, learners, families and supporters, commissioners of services, national Down syndrome organisations, managers and charities to encourage adoption of best practice in their countries. Learn more in our webinar Shortly after launching these guidelines DSi hosted a webinar to explain a little more about them and how they can make a positive impact. We were delighted to be joined by over 240 registrants from over 60 countries, including 35 DSi member organisation representatives. We received great feedback after the event. You can watch a recording here: WATCH What stakeholders think. "I learned a lot from this document and enjoyed it very much. I highlighted sections to share with co-workers. There are many things that I see schools not doing and the recommendations would be fantastic." "The guidelines will help 'guide' at all levels, from top level (policy, national training) to implementation at the classroom level." "Situating all topics in scientific research conveys security and expands the possibility of deepening the subject. Anyone who reads it and puts it into practice can learn, make changes, and qualify its inclusive process." What will we do next? We will be promoting and disseminating the Guidelines throughout our global network, encouraging others to do the same. We will be working with self-advocates, advocates of people with Down syndrome, professionals and affiliated organisations to implement the guidelines in countries across the world. The Guidelines are just a starting point in this project. We will be building on this work by creating information to accompany the Guidelines now and in the years to come. We will continue to advocate for quality inclusive education and develop resources, toolkits and training in collaboration with our national and regional members and other international strategic partners. Promoting and implementing the guidelines In order to make an impact in countries around the world the guidelines need to be promoted and implemented. Our Education Project Toolkits have been created to help individuals and organisations to do this. TOOLKIT 1 – Promotion of the guidelines on media platforms. The aim of this toolkit is to help increase the visibility of the International Guidelines for the Education ofLearners with Down Syndrome through promotion on media platforms. Toolkit 1 TOOLKIT 2 – Basic steps to encourage and enable implementation of the guidelines The aim of this toolkit is to outline basic steps that can be taken to encourage and enable the implementation of the International Guidelines for the Education of Learners with Down Syndrome. Toolkit 2 TOOLKIT 3 – Translating the guidelines The aim of this toolkit is to outline the process to follow when translating the original English version of the International Guidelines for the Education of Learners with Down Syndrome into other languages in order that the information in the document retains its original meaning and significance. Toolkit 3 If you need any support in using these toolkits, please contact us. Long term impact Opening up opportunities for people with Down syndrome. We believe that these new Guidelines will have a positive and substantial impact on the availability and quality of education around the world for people with Down syndrome. The Guidelines are an important starting point in enabling people with Down syndrome to receive the educational support needed to achieve their full potential. Education enhances life opportunities and quality of life. It promotes inclusion in society, interests and friendships and can facilitate greater independence and future employment. Sign up. Sign up to hear more about the work we are doing to improve quality of life for people with Down syndrome around the world. SIGN-UP - OUR WORK Project updates Read our latest project updates in our Global Support blog: GLOBAL SUPPORT BLOG Donate Donate today to help us to continue our vital work: DONATE TODAY Manage Cookie Preferences